Six lakhs devotees take holy dip at Gangasagar on Makar Sankranti (watch pics)

New Delhi: Every year on Makar Sankranti, pilgrims from all over India, gather at Gangasagar for a holy dip at the confluence of the river Ganga and the Bay of Bengal. After the holy dip, the pilgrims offer ‘Puja' at the Kapil Muni Temple or Ashram.More than 6 lakh devotees, including a large number of sadhus, took a holy dip early this morning.Elaborate security arrangements were made at Gangasagar Mela venue. Policemen in motorboats were making the rounds to ensure that no mishap occured.The Gangasagar Mela is an annual event that takes place on Makar Sankranti, when the Sun begins facing the northern hemisphere of Earth.Watch in pics devotees taking the holy dip:A sadhu dressed as Hindu god Shiva seeks alms as devotees arrive for the annual holy dipA sadhu worships the sun during the annual holy dipHindu pilgrims take the holy dip at Gangasagar on Makar SankrantiIndian policeman keeps vigil as pilgrims stand on line for offerings at the Kapil Muni temple after the annual holy dipPilgrims stand in queue for offerings at the Kapil Muni templeThousands of Hindu pigrims gather for the holy dip at GangasagarThousands of Hindu pilgrims waiting for the holy dip Hindu pilgrims take the annual holy dip at GangasagarA Hindu devotee prays while taking a dip early morningAn elderly devotee prays as Rapid Action Force (RAF) soldiers patrol the venue